In a trade so fair that economics classes will surely use it as an example for years to come: Saturday Night Live has chosen Mick Jagger to host an episode this season instead of Mitt Romney, a Republican presidential candidate with equal quantities of sex appeal, live-performance experience, and uninhibited stage presence as the Rolling Stones front man. Jagger will host the season finale, marking the first time that the rock ’n’ roll legend—who has appeared numerous times as a musical guest—will helm the show.

During a conference call today, S.N.L. creator Lorne Michaels confirmed that he had been in discussions with Romney’s camp about the presumptive G.O.P. nominee visiting Studio 8H. Michaels revealed that Romney’s busy primary schedule got in the way* *this season but suggested that he might appear when Saturday Night Livereturns in September. (Unfortunately for Romney, it is rumored that SNLheavyweights Kristen Wiig and Andy Samberg will have left the series by then.) Romney, who is noted for both his keen sense of humor and being an unlikely candidate for Hollywood’s Fifty Shades of Greyadaptation, told Diane Sawyer last month that he would only appear in a skit if it were funny.

Look for Mick Jagger, the next best thing to Mitt Romney, on the May 19th episode.